VARRA The people and the empire Heritage features

Varran

The ancient Varran Empire is the namesake of the entire continent of Varris, as well as the modern Varszi cultures that came to dominate it after the empire's fall. It is also the reason why arcane magic is feared and prohibited throughout the continent, and why wizards in particular are seen as a threat to the Archfey's divine order.

After humans were brought into the world around 1,700 years ago, they had a difficult time adjusting to their new circumstances. One tribe in particular was taken in by their elven neighbors who took pity on them and taught them arcane magic to help them survive. Having obtained this newfound power, these humans felt that the elves were holding them back — that they could form their own society where those who wielded powerful magic would rule. Soon after that, the Varra waged war against the other races. They formed a strictly hierarchical society which subjugated and enslaved all other humanoid races after mastering a technique that allowed them to bind chromatic dragons to their will. Their wizards, famed dragon riders chief among them, ruled most of the continent with an iron fist for nearly five centuries.

As the story goes, the Archfey could not bear to watch the elves, their beloved children, be subjugated by the humans they themselves brought into the world. They waged a war against the Varra, but were so afraid of the humans’ tremendous power that they avoided sending their own angels to battle them. Instead, they granted their followers divine magic to fight on their behalf. The elves, humans and many other races banded together in the name of all that is holy to fight against their oppressors, like the metallic dragons who fought their chromatic ancestors centuries before. One by one, the Varran cities fell, along with their dragon rider rulers, paving the way for a new era — one where all humanoids were to be equal regardless of their ancestry or magical prowess. Or at least, that was the promise made at the time.

Now, those who claim descent from the Varran wizards are scattered throughout their empire's former land, treated as dangerous outcasts. Most are assumed to be secret practitioners of the arcane, and while many do practice benign magic in line with their ancestors' traditions, stories of secret Varran societies seeking to overthrow governments and destroy the Church are usually entirely fabricated. These modern Varra face much prejudice and distrust due to the evil deeds of their ancestors and often form tight-knit communities of those who share their heritage, especially in large cities.

The people and the empire

Not much is known about the prehistorical origins of the Varran people, largely because they were illiterate until they came into contact with the elves of Varris. In their homeland, they were a nomadic tribe that roamed vast lands on horseback. According to elven chronicles, they had a very strong bond with the animals, which they treated as divine.

Upon hearing tales of chromatic dragons from the elves, the humans became fascinated with their might and majesty. Perhaps they thought that if horses are mounts fit for warriors, then the dragons are worthy of gods. They sought to become those very gods by seeking magic that would allow them to bind a dragon to their will. The human tribe's ambition knew no bounds — unlike the elves whose magical studies were limited by their core principles of community and compassion, they sought only power. They rejected their former identity, as well as their own native faith, when they chose a new name for themselves — Varan, meaning "mighty" in Draconic.

The Varran language appears to have been brought into Varris by the human tribe who spoke it originally. It remained largely unchanged throughout the centuries. Those who learn it in modern times still speak its classical form, the same that was used by Varran wizards during the peak of their empire. Common is a language that emerged during the Varran Age as a "low" form of Varran, a mix of it and many other languages spoken by the commoners and slaves of different cultures and races. Varran wizards would only use Common to speak to their servants, who were often not taught Varran to prevent them from spying on their masters. As a result, Common only flourished as a literary language after the collapse of the Varran Empire, and has since served as the lingua franca of the continent. Now, it is used by nobles, merchants, and priests of the Archfey and is synonymous with the broader Varszi culture. Varran and Common are both written using the Varran alphabet. It can also be used to write Draconic, since it originally had no written form and it was Varran scholars who first studied and transcribed the language of chromatic dragons.

Heritage features

Below are the features your character gains after you choose the Varran heritage. Heritage is a mechanic specific to the Varris setting.

Ruleset: 5e

Your heritage determines the languages your character knows. It can also be their background and grant them more features. Check the player primer for a list of available heritages.

Languages

You can speak Varran and either Common, Draconic, or Infernal.

Background features

Your character's heritage can double as their background. If you choose the "Varran" background, instead of a base game background like Noble, Criminal, etc, you gain the following features:

Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Investigation.

Tool Proficiencies: Vehicles (Land).

Equipment: A set of common clothes in deep shades of red, purple, or burgundy, simple silver or golden earrings worth 10 GP, a scroll of a first-level wizard spell of your choice, and a pouch containing 5d4 GP.

Feature: Varran Magic. You know the prestidigitation cantrip and one other wizard cantrip of your choice. Additionally, you know one 1st-level wizard spell that you can cast using any wizard, warlock, bard, or sorcerer spell slot you have. You choose what your spellcasting ability for these spells is between Intelligence and Charisma.

Ruleset: Bludgeon

Your Heritage determines your character's first language and additional skill competency options. Your character can learn languages beyond their first one, as explained in the language checks rules. Check the player primer for a list of available Heritages.

Language

Your first language is Varran.

Additional skills

When you select the Varran heritage for your character, you choose one of the skills below to gain a +1 competency in. This is in addition to the skill competencies you would normally gain.